BMBC 21: Barnsleys Local Area Agreement 2008-2011

Major housing led regeneration schemes have transformed localneighbourhoods in Grimethorpe and Kendray and early results from theHousing Market Renewal programme in the Dearne are promising.Improvement work continues in these targeted areas as part of thewider approach to developing sustainable communities.The number of new homes completed has, for a number of years now,exceeded figures set for new build in the Regional Spatial Strategy.Increasing the supply of new homes has been clearly flagged up in thelatest Housing Green Paper (Homes for the Future: More affordable,more sustainable). Additional housing is required to both help underpinplanned economic growth and address a marked shortage of affordableaccommodation. There is also a recognition that the particular housingneeds of vulnerable groups, such as gypsy and traveller groups, newarrivals to the Borough and the disabled, need to be fully taken accountof. Affordable housing is also a particular issue for young people.The Council is committed to delivering the stretching net additionalhomes target in line with the Regional Spatial Strategy, although theachievement of this will in large measure also depend upon prevailingconditions the housing market (including a number of factors beyondthe control of the Council).Notwithstanding the current slowdown in the housing market, access toaffordable housing remains a major challenge. The borough-widehousing needs study has recently been refreshed (spring 2008), andthis demonstrates an increased requirement for new, affordableImproving the Quality of Life in Our Communities: Local PhysicalEnvironment, Including the Quality of the Housing Stock36housing. The Council will continue to work with housing associationpartners to increase the supply of new affordable homes and newaffordable housing will also be provided from private housingdevelopments via ‘planning gain’.Planning has a central role to play in the delivery of new housing. Inseeking to increase the number of new homes it will be necessary toensure that an appropriate balance is maintained between housing andemployment sites on the one hand, and the quality, quantity andaffordability on the other. More specifically, the performance of theCouncil’s Planning Development control has not compared favourablewith the other local authorities, nor with national standards and hasbeen subject to an improvement plan since July 2007. The significantimprovement demonstrated during 2007/08 needs to be sustained andembedded to facilitate a sustainable and well regulated builtenvironment.Condition of Roads and FootwaysWhilst the Council has improved its performance in the maintenance ofboth principal and non-principal road maintenance since 2001/02,mainly due to an accelerated programme via prudential borrowing, anda LPSA covering footway maintenance. Further improvements are stillrequired if the Government’s highways maintenance aspirations are tobe met by 2010, especially given the priority given to it by residents.Barnsley’s Local Area Agreement 2008-11